Page 41 of Pretty Little Disaster

“Why would I find it weird? I’m the one who put it there.” I smile to myself as I watch her hand continue to stroke thattummy I gave her. She’s gotten much bigger over the past few weeks and, just like I told her, she’s starting to like the way she looks. I’ve noticed the way she smiles with pride when she stands sideways in the mirror and sizes herself up. She knows she’s doing a good job.

“Doesn’t it get in the way?… And what if the kid moves around while you're doing it? Don’t you worry about poking it?” Wes continues his questioning.

I swear, schools should take more from their budgets to teach better sex ed.

“Nothing gets in the way, and I don’t think it’s possible topoke it.” I smile at the clueless prick then stand up to get Lorna a towel when I see her making her way up the beach. Her skin is glistening from the water and the midday sun, and I want to carry her inside, lay her out on that king-size bed, and hold that pretty belly while I fuck her.

“Cass was thinking about heading out to eat tonight, but I’m kind of tired from the trip,” she tells me while I wrap her up in the warm, fluffy towel.

“That’s fine, you and I can stay here and I can grill us some streaks.” I don’t know if I manage to hide my relief, I much prefer the idea of spending the evening with just her.

“Great, I’ll head back inside and get some clothes on.” She wets her lips as if she’s going to kiss me again, then must change her mind because she suddenly looks embarrassed. Neither of us seems to know what stage we’re at. We sleep in the same bed, we fuck most evenings and yet, there’s still so much we have to talk about.

“I should change too,” Cass follows after her and I notice how she gives another long, desperate look toward Jonah as she heads inside.

I guess, since there isn’t much else to do here, I could help a guy out.

“You know she likes you, right?” I look across at him.

“Who, Cass?” Jonah chuckles. “Nah, she only dates older guys.” His head shakes in denial.

“No, no, I think he’s onto something,” Wes backs me. “I’ve noticed the way she’s been looking at you.”

“You guys are crazy, we’re friends, and that’s as far as it goes.” He stands up and grabs himself a beer from the cooler.

“We’re almost out. Nic, you haven’t been drinking, do you mind taking me on a beer run? You can pick up those steaks while we’re out,” Jonah suggests.

“Sounds like a plan.” I pick up my keys, slip on my sliders, and grab a tee as I follow him out the gate.

“That was delicious.” Lorna rests back in her seat and lets her tummy stick out to its full potential. “Never let it be said that an Italian man can’t cook a good steak.” The way she strokes her bump over her dress makes my cock get all twitchy.

“An Italian man can cook anything.” I clear her plate away for her and then rest beside her.

“I’m glad we didn’t go out with them tonight, it’s nice and peaceful being here alone” she smiles as she looks out toward the sunset. “Did you visit the beach much when you were a child?” she asks.

“Our father never had the time.” I shake my head sadly.

“I’d like us to take this little one to the beach at least once a year.” She looks down at her tummy and smiles. “Do you think we wil—” She cuts herself off before she can finish. “Sorry, that was expectant of me.” Her eyes close to try and hide her embarrassment.

“I was thinking, we should talk about what happens next.” I take this as an opportunity. Now seems as good a time as any to set things straight.

“Well, I don’t have another doctor’s appointment for another three weeks. I’m figuring that’s when I’ll make a birthing pla?—“

“I wasn’t talking about the baby, Lorna. I want to talk about us.” I stand up and take her hand, leading her away from the table of dirty plates and down to the ocean.

“I like the idea of us bringing our child here, once a year,” I admit, listening to the waves crash against the rocks as she bites her lip and tries not to smile. “I know this isn’t how you imagined your life being, and I’m not the guy you expected to be on this journey with. But… I’m grateful that you’re the one bringing my child into the world. I’ve learned that not only can I tolerate you, but I actually really like you.” She holds her breath as she listens to my words. “I know things are unsure between us and we’re kind of living by our own rules, right now, but I’m hoping this will clear things up.” I lower to my knee and pull out the box that contains my mother’s ring.

“Lorna James, since we’re already halfway to making a family together.” I kiss her tummy proudly. “Will you be my wife?” Lifting my eyes back up to hers, I nervously wait for her answer.

“Nic, you don’t have to do this, we aren’t living in the 1920’s. We can co-parent this baby and?—”

“Is that what you want? Because it’s not what I want.” He frowns as he stands back up. “Lorna, I want to hold your hand when we walk down the street and know that you really are fucking mine, and not just for the next five months, but for keeps. I want to wake up in the mornings and not feel awkward about the fact I’m holding you in my arms. You need to know that I’m serious about what I said. I want to put more babiesinside you because,damn,you make it look good.” I stroke the side of her bump and we both laugh.

“Don’t you think we should see how we get on with this one, first?” She looks so damn pretty when she smiles.

“Answer the question, Lorna.” I look at her seriously, my heart pounding and my palms sweating because as much as I’ve tried to deny it, I need her to say yes.

“A few months ago, we hated each other,” she reminds me.

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